It’s All About Public Relations

Israel has an ongoing problem. It’s PR (public relations). Most of the actions taken by that country to protect its people, and Jews elsewhere in the world, have been disastrous for their reputation. The outstanding events that most people thought were good are 1) the war in 1948 (when it actually happened), 2) the Six Day War (when it actually happened), 3) the rescue of Black Jews from Ethiopia, 4) the two bombing raids that destroyed potential nuclear bomb facilities in Iran and Syria, and 5) the peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

Everything else that Israel has done or not done has been a public relations disaster. Even Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip did not earn that nation any applause. Last month’s announcement of new Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem while VP Biden was visiting was an astonishing faux pas.

So it comes as no surprise that the stopping of a flotilla of ships destined for Gaza would be another bad PR event. There is no way to ascertain the truth about Israel’s action on the Mediterranean Sea. The news media will make this a really big deal (and it is to the families that lost loved ones).

The answer to Israel’s dilemma is obvious to me. They need to hire some PR professionals. Had they been on the payroll before the flotilla event the news media would have a different take on the events that happened at sea.

It’s difficult for me to comprehend that Israel’s leadership does not understand their need for good PR. Many of their government leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu, were educated in the United States.

Israel is a Fact, Now Let’s Find Peace

Israel Independence Day is celebrated annually on 5 Iyar, the anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel (May 14, 1948).

Today the Associated Press reported the following:

Bitter Palestinian rivals marched together Saturday in a rare show of unity as they marked 62 years of displacement in the war surrounding Israel’s creation.

Loyalists of rival groups Hamas and Fatah held Palestinian flags and a giant key symbolic of their hoped-for return as part of annual commemorations of what they call the “catastrophe,” or “nakba” in Arabic. The names of the villages and towns emptied during the war were written across the key, alongside the slogan “We will return.”

The plight of the refugees — who fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 Israeli-Arab war — is one of the most emotionally charged issues for Palestinians and Israel to resolve.

From Wikipedia is this account of the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. My personal knowledge confirms much of the information. More in depth information here.

Fighting between the Arab and Jewish communities of Palestine began in November 1947, immediately after the UN decision to create a Jewish state. The Arab States declared they would greet any attempt to form a Jewish state with war.[46] Dr Izzat Tannous, the Palestinian Arab representative to the UN declared that

“We are now at war, a war in which no quarter will be asked and none will be given. It will be a battle of life and death and woe to the vanquished.”^[47]

Fighting spread as the British gradually withdrew (the area had been a British Protectorate since the end of World War I). The Arab League could not invade until the British completed their withdrawal, and planned an invasion for the day after. In this phase, before the British departure, the struggle was a civil war. Arab forces consisted of village militias buttressed by the Arab Liberation Army, a force composed largely of Arab volunteers from across the Middle-East but which included European mercenaries including British deserters, German Nazis[48] and veterans of the (Bosnian Moslem) Croatian Waffen SS (whose commander had been the Palestinian Mufti of Jerusalem). The Jews had their militias (including many World War II veterans) and a several thousand strong professional force called the Palmach.

Initially the Arabs had the advantage as the British maintained an embargo on Palestine’s seas preventing the Jews from importing arms or manpower while Arab states could supply local Arabs who also occupied more strategic areas and outnumbered the Jews. The Jews, however, were better organized and believed themselves to be fighting for their lives. Jewish taxes had funded both the British army in Palestine and British support for the Arab population so the Jewish economy benefited from the British departure while the Arab economy collapsed as the war expanded. The Jews had an elected government (the Va’ad Leumi) already in place with an independent taxation system.

In the early stages 100,000 Palestinian Arabs, mainly the upper classes and the better off fled to neighbouring states.[49] Before May 1948, 150,000 more fled or were evicted during fighting as the Jews slowly overpowered the Arab forces. Jewish preparation for the Arab invasion led to the eviction of hostile Arab communities who controlled access routes. In Haifa the Arab Higher Committee (who were based in Syria) refused to allow a negotiated cease fire with the Jews or allow the Arab population to remain under Jewish control thus contributing to the departure of the city’s Arab population.[50] There was particularly heavy fighting on the road to Jerusalem, whose 100,000 strong Jewish community was cut off from the rest of the country, and this led the Jews to destroy most of the Arab villages along the narrow route they eventually established between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

In March 1949, after many months of battle, a permanent ceasefire went into effect and Israel’s interim borders, later known as the Green Line, were established.

The current population of Israel is 7.5 million people, of whom 5.7 million are Jewish.

An Alternative to Hot War in the Middle East

It’s just another finger in our eye when Iran tests its missiles. Iran’s recent announcement of plans to build 10 more nuclear facilities was that country’s response to Obama’s short circuited challenge to their intent to build facilities for electrical energy generation.

America’s ability to dissuade an Israeli pre-emptive strike is limited. As I pointed out back on September 26, 2009 Israel is too small not to take the threats seriously. Other Arab nations may also feel threatened and that might help in negotiations with Iranians.

Is this latest missile test a warning to the United States and Israel or is this meant strike fear into its neighbors? Obviously the CIA won’t share its thoughts but this is another serious saber rattling event. My view is that Israel ought to do some of its own saber rattling. The stand off would be a regional “cold war” and that is better than the alternative.

Sticking a Finger in Our Eye

To make it clear that Iran doesn’t care what the rest of the world thinks, they have test fired some missiles today as a follow up to Friday’s admission of a secret nuclear facility. Their behavior is that of a child who thinks he can continue his disobedience to an adult supervisor. The difference is that Iran is not a child and the consequences of their actions are too horrible to contemplate.

Iran’s action is a direct challenge to the United States and to our president. What will Barack Obama do in the face of his position as leader of the western world? I hope he continues his calm demeanor and quietly prepares for the worst. Vice President Joe Biden had predicted the president would be tested in his first six months in office. Now is the time the when Biden’s foreign affairs experience will be a most valuable input.

Our congress is slow to respond to threats from other nations. There has not been a declaration of war since the start of WWII. It’s unlikely there will be that kind of action to Iran’s saber rattling. However, behind the scenes the United States could quietly condone an air strike on Iran by Israeli aircraft. This morning’s statements by our Secretary of defense and state, on the TV talk shows, were not made with the knowledge of today’s missile tests.

When have sanctions deterred any nation? Unless the October 1 talks with Iran bring about real changes the time for military actions will have arrived.

Israel Is Another Step Closer to Bombing Iran

Barack Obama’s comments at the end of the G20 summit were capped with a Q and A from reporters that left no doubt about American actions if Iran continues its nuclear facilities construction and revealing all existing facilities. The president’s firm but conciliatory message was clear. There will be strong sanctions and the possibility of military actions against those sites is definitely a possibility.

The problem for the United States is its size and purpose. American military bases and other American facilities are located in more than 50 nations around the world. Many people question American motives. Those are questions asked by both American citizens and the people of other countries. The largest and most influential nations of the world hold considerable distrust for this nation.

Israel, other the other hand, has made its position clear. The doctrine that has been supported by most Israeli leaders is strike first when there is a national threat. It’s easy to understand their reasoning. Their entire country is the size of New Jersey. The country is primarily Jewish and its self interest is more easily defined.

Israel does not ask permission for its actions. Israel does act in its own best interest. If Iran is a threat, Israel will take the necessary action.

Will Israel Attack Iran?

The answer to the question is, only the Israelis know for sure. According to Micah Zenko in today’s Los Angeles Times the likelihood is high. Mr. Zenko says Iran has until late September to provide the desired response to an international proposal for stopping nuclear enrichment. Given Israel’s history of a first strike doctrine this action is definitely a real possibility.

A columnist in the Pakistani Spectator has provided some important information that would support the thought that Israel is physically positioning itself for such an attack. The unidentified “Guest Blogger” contends that “In a latest move Israel has moved two of its Saar Missile Class warships through the Suez Canal. Ten days back Israel also sailed its Dolphin class submarine, capable of launching a nuclear missile strike, to an unidentified location.”

Of course, if this is an accurate report, Iranian intelligence knows about the positioning of Israeli ships. Can we rely on Michael Oren, the new Israeli ambassador to the United States, when he said on Fareed Zakaris’s GPS that Israel would only use nuclear weapons in response to another nation’s first use? Frankly I doubt it.

Although there appears to be more peaceful times in Israel, its last two wars have ended in a draw. Perhaps that was enough for Israel’s enemies.

Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapons now. I am guessing that Israel will strike Iran if it believes there is a real threat. It just won’t be nuclear.

The Road to Peace in the Middle East – Part Two

President Barack Obama may be facing a political fire storm. He could be called anti-semitic. This is a common tactic used by Jews to confront opposition to Israeli government position on any issue.

The President could be put in this situation because the new prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, are both opposed to a Palestinian state. Netanyahu has discussed the idea of a self governing Palestinian region that would control its internal affairs but has not acknowledged the idea of that region becoming fully independent. Lieberman is part of a conservative religious group that believes that Old Testament definitions of Israel boundaries apply to the 21^st century.

The rejection of a two state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict has been reported in the Los Angeles Times, by BBC News and other reliable sources. The new “right wing” conservative Israeli government seems to be unanimous in their position as all leading ministers have stated almost the same views on peace with Palestinians.

There are American Jewish groups that do believe that a two state solution is the right thing to do. Commnetarymagazine.com has reported on four groups. J Street, Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, and even the well-funded Israel Policy Forum, have all previously jousted with the pro-Israel establishment.

A Jewish homeland ensures there is at least one place in this world where many Jews can feel safe. I feel safe in the United States but so did the Jews of Germany. The existence of Israel does not negate the existence of a Palestinian state as long as it lives in peace with its Jewish neighbors.

The Road to Peace in the Middle East

The road to peace between the United States and Muslim countries is through Jerusalem. The United States has been Israel’s staunchest ally. Israel needs American support to survive. Without that support Israel would have been destroyed by its neighbors decades ago. It is time for Israel to help the United States win the war against terrorism. That goal can be achieved by an Israeli Palestinian peace accord. Once that accord has become reality the Arab terrorists will lack a major battle cry that is now used to recruit terrorists. That peace accord will enable Israel to focus its energies on other things besides the defense of its borders. That accord will afford the opportunity for the United States to show Muslim nations that America does care about their values and beliefs.

Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party in Israel, is now the man likely to become Israel’s next prime minister. He has the reputation of a “conservative” leader and is known to oppose a treaty with Palestinians that creates a two nation solution. It has also been written that he wants to draw out (or drag out) any negotiations as a delaying tactic to signing any kind of peace accord with the Palestinians. I can understand why he has taken this position. There are doubts among Jews everywhere about the reliability of any treaty.

Palestinians are divided on a course of action towards Israel. There is no single unifying group or committee that speaks for most of them. The three leading groups that would like to lead all Palestinians are Hamas, Hezbollah, and Fatah. Under current conditions George Mitchell, the American diplomat looking for a solution, will be hard put to bring real negotiations to a table before all Palestinian groups agree on their objectives.

Mr. Netanyahu couldn’t be happier with the current in-fighting among Palestinians. If his plan is to delay negotiations, the Palestinians have aided him in that objective.

Both Jews and Arabs are very sensitive to the treatment they receive by the American government. That appears to be the major stumbling block that has deterred every U.S. administration from taking the needed actions that will bring peace to the area. At this time the Obama administration does not appear to be any more willing to force its vision on the parties than any previous administration. Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East as an American representative only showed that President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton understand that the situation is both complex and delicate.

The United States needs to look out for its interests first. To accomplish the U.S. objectives the American government should insist that all parties involved participate in negotiations that will lead to permanent peace and stability. That objective can be accomplished by using a “carrot and stick” approach. Time lines need to be established to end this open ended confrontation. The carrot is help to those to those nations and groups who participate. The stick is isolation and containment for those refusing to participate. Egypt apparently agrees with this approach as that country blocked entry and movement into Gaza during the recent Israeli attacks. Similarly there was a noticeable lack of support for Hamas in Gaza during those Israeli attacks. Unfortunately Israel killed and harmed too many innocent civilians. The isolation needs to be sustained indefinitely if Hamas refuses to participate in peace negotiations. Israel should be treated equally if it refuses to negotiate.

American Jews and Arabs may be unhappy with the Obama administration but the time has come to end the stalemate.

Jews Have Very Little Influence

Charles Freeman, a veteran diplomat slated to become the top U.S. intelligence analyst, withdrew from consideration on Tuesday, March 10. He released a statement denouncing the “Israel Lobby” for “character assassination.” He appeared on Fareed Zakaria’s GPS on March 15 and issued the same charges. Mr. Freeman charged “they have a hammer lock on public policy.” He blamed right wing Jews in America and Israel for his withdrawl from the nomination.

Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio talk show host, had a group of guests on his program to discuss the Charles Freeman withdrawl. There were both defenders and opposers to Freeman on the show. Apparently Mr. Freeman is a strong supporter of Arabs and Saudi Arabia. He also was a strong supporter of China’s crackdown in Tiananmen Square (although he denies the accusation).

From Commentary Magazine:

Congressman Frank Wolf is afforded space in the opinion pages of the Washington Post — where one needs to go for reported facts — to explain why he was instrumental in provoking the withdrawal of Chas Freeman. It wasn’t the Jewish blogosphere or AIPAC, as the Post’s Walter Pincus seemed to believe, (without ever actually investigating). And it wasn’t the “Israel-centric fanatics” the category in which Glenn Greenwald places Chief of Staff in Rahm Emanuel.

Wolf explains:

For almost four years, Freeman served on the advisory board of the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), receiving $10,000 a year for his service. The communist government of China, along with other state-owned companies, are majority stakeholders in CNOOC. Yet Freeman claims that he never received money from a foreign government. The connection may not be direct, but it is certainly there. The same can be said of the paycheck he received from the Middle East Policy Council, which received ample funding from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia — whose regime is responsible for funding madrassas around the globe that have given rise to Islamic fundamentalists such as Mohammad Omar, leader of the Taliban.

Fareed Zakaria asked his viewers their opinion at the end of the broadcast. I waited for the results of that question to learn what most responding viewers thought. I am disappointed to learn that a majority do think that there is a pro-Israel lobby in Washington that does have the super power to influence U.S. policy related to the Middle East.

There are 5 million Jews in the United States. That number equals 1.66% of the whole population. Jews only have influence because they are mostly well educated and do contribute to political parties. To believe that Jews can impact American policy is not reasonable given their small population. After all who cares what they want? They are too small a group to influence the outcome of anything. I will attest they are mostly smart. Some are brilliant. Still, they are just too small a group to influence the U.S. policy. Right wing Jews in America would be a minority within a minority. American Jews are notoriously supporters of liberal causes.